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callmecrazy · 26-07-2011, 18:26

Take a drive to your local inner city... What do you see? Do you like it? Is it what you're accustomed to? Are your tax dollars going into it? What are you doing about it?

The thing about freedom is that it applies to everybody...

canucksailor · 26-07-2011, 18:42

Quote:

The thing about freedom is that it applies to everybody...

We have someone keeping us honest here - a devil's advocate I do believe...

Keep up the good work...

Capt. lulz · 26-07-2011, 19:25

I read that a boat cannot be towed unless it is sinking.
How feasible is it to claim an abandoned boat? (if possible)

canucksailor · 26-07-2011, 19:29

I believe it's possible, but I'm not sure of the rules. Anyone here aware of that?

Capt. lulz · 26-07-2011, 19:40

I found this: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post690330

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

Check around to the different marinas and storage/boat yards, they usually have periodic auctions of vessels that have non-paying owners, and there should be some kind of public notice of auction. Once the vessel is bought at auction all you have to do is file the new ownership papers, with bill of sale from the auction.

canucksailor · 26-07-2011, 19:44

I think Captn lulz meant boats abandoned on the water. Is there a protocol for that?

callmecrazy · 26-07-2011, 19:48

If it's a state registered boat, in most states, you can walk into a DMV with the HIN and apply for a salvage title. The DMV will try o contact the last known owner (or tell you what to do) for a certain period of time. If the owner never responds or doesn't claim responsibility, you'll get the title.

I only know this from my research in trying to salvage a motor boat after hurricane Katrina. I'm sure some states have different rules. YMMV.

Khagan1227 · 26-07-2011, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. lulz

I found this: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post690330

Florida's rules:

Florida Maritime Accident Lawyer - Claiming Abandoned Boats in Florida

Capt. lulz · 26-07-2011, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

If it's a state registered boat, in most states, you can walk into a DMV with the HIN and apply for a salvage title. The DMV will try o contact the last known owner (or tell you what to do) for a certain period of time. If the owner never responds or doesn't claim responsibility, you'll get the title.

I only know this from my research in trying to salvage a motor boat after hurricane Katrina. I'm sure some states have different rules. YMMV.

Very helpful.

Do you happen to know what legally defines a vessel as abandoned?

callmecrazy · 26-07-2011, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. lulz

Very helpful.

Do you happen to know what legally defines a vessel as abandoned?

No I don't. But an out of date registration sticker would be the first clue, 2 feet of bottom growth would be the second

canucksailor · 26-07-2011, 19:58

So, based on what I see here, if a boat is abandoned, or appears to be, one can get it off the water. Thing is, few of the boats I'm thinking about have any value - not even that of donating to a charity, etc.
How do we deal with them? A creative solution is needed. Sell? To whom?
Give away? Likely create a similar problem since there's no loss to a new owner if he also abandons the boat.
Charity? No value as noted. Landfill? Costs are quite high? Salvage for parts?
Maybe some new charity that can turn these boats around, make them feasible for someone to own?
Ideas anyone?

Khagan1227 · 26-07-2011, 20:03

We had a boat abandoned at a county marina here a few months back. It was last registered in 2003 and they notified the owner they were going to sieze the boat for back payment of his slip fees.

When they went to remove it for the slip, they realized they needed to evict the family of squatters that had broken in a couple of years earlier.

While the racoons were reluctant to move, animal control convinced them it was in their best interest to move.

The boat was put up for auction and the county refused a $250 bid (highest bidder).

"Someone" bought the boat, as it has been hauled and removed from the marina.

**capngeo** · 26-07-2011, 20:18

Most of the derelicts are a liability and have negative value. I used to bid a County contract every year for removal of derelict boats when I had the towing and salvage business.... The average cost? $1500/boat, and the only way I could do it that cheap was the County waived their landfill fees.

Another problem is often people will purchase "bargain" boats not realizing the scope of a restoration project, only to abandon them without ever transferring title. The previous seller even armed with a properly executed bill of sale, will often get pinched by the authorities for the removal. If you ever sell a boat on the cheap, INSIST on transferring title in person at the time of sale!